Extrusion apparatus



May 11, 1937. J, H, RIDEN 2,079,905

EXTRUSION APPARATUS 7 Filed April 22, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY May 11, 1937.

J. H. FRIDEN EXTRUSION APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 22, 1955 ATTORNEY May 11, 1937. 1 H, FRIDEN 2,079,905

EXTRUS I ON APPARATUS Filed April 22, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 ZZZ INVENTOR Jokwfll'Tri/delv' A TTORNE y 1937. J. H. FRIDEN' 2,079,905

EXTRUS I ON APPARATUS Filed April 22, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 f & 4

r INVE 0R: M/ Jokn/ V7 In TORNEY May 11, 1937. J. H. FRIDEN 2,079,905

EXTRUSION PPARATUS Filed April 22, 1933 8 Sheets$heet 5 INVENTOR:

k fiMHFE'wZ/z IQ ATTORNEY l May 11, 1937. FRmEN 2,079,905

EXTRUS ION APPARATUS Filed April 22, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 A TTORNEY May 11, 1937. J. H. FRIDEN I EXTRUSION APPARATUS 7 Filed April 22, 1933 8 Sheets$heet 7 INVENTOR. Jofirz 111 71 70 A TTORJVEY J. H. FRILJEN May 11, 1937.

EXTRUS ION APPARATUS Filed April 22, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR .fofiiz/jf 1?: den

' ATTORNEY? M v 0 a MKZ Lmm "MI. 1 W, 0 "I 50mg 2 i Patented May 11, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE EXTRUSION APPARATUS John H. Fridn, East Orange, ,The Sun Tube Corporation,

N. 3., assignor to Hillside, N. J., a

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for forming elongated, tubular members or the like of a metal which at ordinary temperatures will not flow readily even upon the application of high pressures. It is particularly applicable to the extrusion of zinc into relatively thin walled tubes or cups;

In the extrusion of zinc it is necessary to heat the metal somewhat above normally existing temperatures, otherwise the resistance to flow will be so great that the pressure required will be excessive and there will be danger of breaking some portion of the machine. The temperature of the metal should be somewhat above 200 F. and may, under suitable conditions, be as much as 600 F., or even more. It is largely a matter of choice as between various factors whether a relatively high or a relatively low temperature should be adopted. If a low temperature is employedfthe required extrusion pressure will be relatively great while the life of the die will probably be prolonged due to the absence of any adverse heatingeffect. Whatever temperature may be selected as best suited under all the circumstances, it is important that this temperature be accurately maintained throughout a long series of operations of the machine. A very noticeable effect upon the length of the extruded tube will arise from relatively small variations in the temperature of the metal at the time of extrusion. This may be due to several factors. The added resistance to extrusion offered by a colder metal will cause. more of the play and the spring of the parts of the press to be taken up with the result that the punch will not enter as deeply into the die and the extruded cup will have a thicker bottom wall. This result is augmented by the fact that the punch itself will be affected by changes in the temperature of the metal being worked and its length will be varied accordingly. It will be apparent, therefore, that unless the temperature of the slugs as they are delivered to the die is maintained substantially constant, an objectionable variation in the thickness of the bottom of the cup and in the length of the tube will occur. While the temperature of the metal will rise in the course of extrusion, its temperature throughout the operation will, of course, be .dependent upon its initial temperature.

It has been an object of the invention to provide for the continuous, successive extrusion of a large number of tubular members from a series of slugs formed of zinc or the like. A feature of the invention is the supply in proper succession, to a female die, of a continuous series of slugs at a regulated temperature. This is accomplished in part by forcing the slugs step by step through a suitable heating zone, preferably electrically heated, so regulated as to discharge the slugs at the proper temperature, and then depositing them one after another in the female die.

The machine contemplated by the present invention incorporates suitable means and devices for accomplishing the foregoing results. Numerof the punch. If a knockout plunger were mounted in the interior of the punch, it would so reduce the eifective cross-sectional area of the punch, which must transmit the high pressures the tion of excessive unit pressures upon the material necessary for the extrusion of zinc, that there would be likelihood of shattering the punch. Other features of substantially equal importance will be described in conjunction with the illustrative machine disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the major portion of a press embodying the invention and capable of operating in accordance with the improved method.

Fig. 2 is a vertical, transverse section the press, on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

- Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on'the line 3-3 of -Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevational view partly in section. taken from the right of Figure 2 and showing the slug feeding portion of the press.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Fig. 6 'is a vertical structure of Figure figure.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged plan view of the, female die, with the male die in section, and the cup stripping means.

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the devices of Figure 7, with a portion in section along the line line 8-8 of Figure '7.

5, along line 6-4 of said through section taken through the Fig. 9 is a transverse, vertical section along the line 3-9 of Figure 7.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail view in plan showing adjustable devices for guiding and feeding the slugs into the heating means.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the structure of Figure 10 showing the parts in a different relation.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail view, in plan, of the feeding and guiding devices at the discharge end of the heating means, showing their relation to the die block.

Fig. 13 is a vertical section along the line |3-l3 of Figure 12, and

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of a detail taken on the line |4-l4 of Figure 12.

Referring now to the drawings the illustrative machine is provided with a framework I0 adapted to carry the entire structure and having a suitable formation at the bottom to support the machine from the floor. Power is supplied to the machine by means of a pulley II which may be connected by a belt or the like with any appropriate power means. The pulley I I is carried by a shaft l2 which extends across the machine and has at its opposite end a pinion '3. This in turn meshes with a large gear l4 secured to an operating shaft l5 which likewise extends across the machine at the back of the main frame. Shaft I5 is provided with an eccentric crank portion 16 to which is attached a connecting rod ll pivotally connected at its opposite end to an arm l8 forming part of a toggle for operating the punch or male member of the extruding dies. The toggle comprises two links or frame members I9 and 20 pivotally connected together by a pivot pin 2|. Link I9 is pivoted to a relatively stationary member 22 adjustably carried by the main frame while the link 20 is pivotally connected by a pin 23 to a slide 24. The latter is suitably guided for only vertical movement within the main frame. At the lower end of the slide there is provided a suitable die holder 25 adapted to retain the punch or male die 26.

The female die 21 is carried by a die holder 28 suitably clamped on a bed 29 formed between the uprights of the machine frame. The position of the die holder on the bed may be adjusted in all directions, to correctly locate it with relation to the punch and other cooperating devices, by means of set screws 30 passed through lugs 3| extending upwardly from the bed 29. A set screw 32 which passes through the wall of the .die holder serves to clamp the die-in-position. -A pair of uprights 33 secured in any suitable way to opposite sides of the die holder support a horizontal cross member 34 at an appropriate distance above the die. Within an elongated channel in the top of the member 34 there is slidably mounted a pair of blocks 35. These are held substantially fiush' with the top of the cross member by means of guide elements 36 secured by screws or the like to the member. At their inner ends the blocks are provided with semi-circular cut out portions M which are adapted to surround the Punch as-the latter descends. On the under surfaces of the blocks the cut outs, when the blocks are spaced a slight distance apart, will conform precisely to the periphery of the punch. The Walls of the cut out portions, however, are flared outwardly along a smooth sweeping are from points somewhat above the under sides to the upper sides of the blocks. Thus while comparatively sharp edges snugly surrounding the punch are provided on the under sides Q t e b1 935 t e upper surfaces are such that the punch will readily enter the opening formed by the cut outs. Blocks 35 are urged toward each other by plungers 38 one of which enters a socket 39 formed in the outer end of each of the blocks. The outer ends of the plungers slide in openings formed in plates 40 secured at the ends of the member 34. Each plunger is surrounded by a spring 4| which at one end engages the plate 40 and at the opposite end engages a collar 42 secured to the plunger. The springs 4|, as will be apparent, serve to force the plungers inwardly until the collars engage vertical walls of the member 34. At this time the blocks will be so close together at their inner ends that the 'punch will not quite pass through the restricted portion of the opening formed by the cut outs 31, therefore upon each downward movement of the punch as it enters the opening it will force the blocks slightly apart.

Assuming that a slug of zinc or the like is properly deposited in the opening 43 in the die and the machine is placed in operation, the movement of the crank portion N5 of the shaft l5 through a complete cycle will cause the toggle links l9 and 20 to be straightened into a vertical line and then restored into the position of Figure 2. This will cause the punch 26 to be reciprocated, being first depressed from the position shown in Figure 8, or slightly higher, and passed through the restricted opening formed between the blocks 35 causing these to be shifted slightly apart. The punch will then pass through an enlarged opening 44 in the cross member 34 and will eventually be pressed against the slug in the die. Due to the high pressure exerted upon the slug the metal will be forced into the recess 43, which has slightly tapered walls, and will be caused to form a tube around the punch. By appropriately adjusting the stroke of the punch, in the manner to be explained, the metal of the tube may be made to climb the desired extent along the punch and will leave a suitable wall thickness below the end of the punch. Now as the punch starts its upward travel it will carry the extruded tube or cup with it until the upper edge of the cup engages the under surfaces of the blocks 35. These blocks will then arrest the further upward movement of 'the cup and will cause it to be stripped from the punch. As the punch is completely withdrawn from the cup the latter is suitably disposed of by mechanism to be described.

While the length of the strokeof the slide or head 24 is invariable, the position of the head. as well as the punch, at the upper and lower limits of their travel may be varied by means of a wedge 45 which may be forced to any desired extent between the main frame above it and the member 22 below it. If it is desired to lower the member 22 slightly and thus cause the punch to enter more deeply into the die, the wedge is simply drawn further between the frame and member. For this purpose a screw 46, cooperating with threads in the wedge, is provided and arranged to be turned by a handwheel 4'l.

The discharge of the extruded cup after it is stripped from the punch is accomplished by means of a jet of air or other gaseous medium discharged against the lower end. of the cup through a nozzle 48. Gas under suitable pressure is supplied to the jet by means of a conduit 49 connected with any convenient source of supply. If desired the gas may be discharged continually, although preferably a valve (not shown) will be provided in the line 49 and operated by the movej is connected by a pin 63 (Fig. 4) with a lever mentof the head 24, or other moving part of the machine, so as to cause the gas to be discharged only as the head approaches the upper limit of its travel. The gas serves to blow the cup to- "-ward the front of the machine into a chute or channel set into the base. This is preferably formed of leather or other soft, yielding material and is set into a recess in the machine frame. At its lower end the inclined wall of the channel is curved outwardly, as indicated at 5|, and directs the discharged cups onto a conveyor 52 which may serve to carry them to any suitable point for further disposition. The conveyor may be driven in any convenient way, as by means of chain and sprocket connections 53 between the shaft l5 and a shaft 54 which supports the inner or lower end of the conveyor.

An important feature of the invention, which will now be described, is the provision of means for automatically delivering into the die. for each reciprocation of the punch, a slug of zinc at the appropriate temperature for the extrusion. A suitable quantity of the slugs capable of supplying the machine for a considerable period is preferably carried by a hopper (not shown) secured to the main frame of the machine. This hopper may conveniently be of the same type as is disclosed in my copending application's. N. 650,850, filed January 9, 1933. The devices shown in said application for continuously feeding slugs from the hopper may also be appropriately employed in the present machine to insure the maintenance of a continuous supply in a chute 55 (Figs. 1, 2, and 3). At its lower end the chute terminates in a horizontal portion which delivers the slugs into the path of a plunger 56. In order to accommodate the chute for the delivery of slugs of different diameters it is provided with adjustable side guides 51. These are provided with elongated openings or slots 58 disposed at an angle of about 45 to the length of the guides. Screws 55, or the like, may be provided to retain the guides in any adjusted position. It will be apparent that as the guides are moved further apart to accommodate larger slugs the ends of the guides will also be moved a corresponding distance from the axis of the plunger 56.

Means are provided for reciprocating the plunger 56 to a variable extent upon each cycle of operation of the machine. For this purpose the plunger is secured in any suitable way to a yoke 60 whose lower end is forked to surround a rod 62, the yoke being frictionally clamped to said rod by means of a bolt 6 I. At its opposite end the rod 64 suitably pivoted upon a portion of the machine by means of a stud 65. At an intermediate point the lever carries a roller '66 adapted to cooperate with the periphery of a cam 61 secured to a shaft 68, supported by brackets extending from the frame of the machine and driven by the main operating mechanism, in a 'manner to be described. About midway between the ends of the rod 62 there is secured a collar 69 (Fig.5) which is engaged by orieend of a spring 10 surrounding the rod. The opposite end of this spring abuts against a portion H of the frame. Spring 10 is always maintained under a certain amount of compression and thus serves to hold the roller 66 against the cam 61.

Upon each reciprocation of the plunger 56 it serves to pick up a slug delivered at the end of the chute 55 and. delivers it into a passage formed between a pair of spaced guide plates 12 and 13. These plates have their forward ends arranged at an angle of 90 to the guides 51. Adjacent their opposite ends the plates 12 and 13 are curved over a sweeping are through an angle of approximately 90 so as to deliver the slugs in a direction substantially parallel to their movement at the lower end of the chute 55. In order to permit adjustment of the plates 12 and 13 for the accommodation of slugs of different diameters,

these plates are provided with elongated slots 14 arranged at an angle of about 45 to the direction of length of the main portion and adapted to cooperate with screws 15. It will be apparent that by loosening the screws and shifting the plates, as permitted by the slots 14, the channel between them may be made of any desired width within the particular limits of the machine. At its inner, or discharge, end the plate 13 carries a stop member 16 having an elongated slot 11 by means of which it may be adjustably mounted on the plate and secured by a screw 18. It will be apparent that as the plates 12 and 13 are forced apart to accommodate larger slugs, the end of plate 12 and the edge 16! of the member 16 will be drawn more closely together. To offset this it is necessary to adjust the position of the member 16 on the plate 13, in themanner explained, so that when a slug is brought against the guide edge 16l the center of the slug will coincide with the center line of the feeding devices. which subsequently impart the next step of movement to the slug.

The stroke of the plunger 56 is of sufficient length to insure the advance of the column of slugs, between the plates 12 and 13, the distance of one slug diameter. This means that the stroke must be greater than the diameter of the largest slug to be handled by the machine and, as will be explained, is preferably at least twice this diameter. When smaller slugs are being used,

. the plunger will have a considerable lost motion which may simply leave a larger space X between the receiving end-of the column of slugs, between the plates 12 and 13, and the next slug to be delivered into this column from the chute 55, or the initial idle movement of the plunger, prior to engagement of the new slug delivered by'the chute, may simply be increased. In any event, the first part of the movement of the plunger will be idle until the new slug is engaged; the next portion of the movement will simply force the new slug through the space X and then the final movement of the plunger will advance the entire column of slugs one step equivalent to the diameter of a slug. The position of the plunger on the rod 62 may be so adjusted that at the end of the stroke of the plunger the slug at the far end of the column will be brought up against the guide surface 16l. Thus, while the length of the stroke of the plunger is invariable, the position of this stroke with relation to the feed passage may be varied to properly accommodate slugs of different diameters. As already suggested the stroke of the "plunger is preferably so positioned that the space X will always be at least equal to the diameter of the slug being used; This practically insures the slugs at the discharge end of the column.

' Any jamming that might take place will be found to occur in line with the chute 55; Assuming now that any movement of the new slug will immediately impart a movement to the entire column it is conceivable that the slugs may be moved only a fraction of their diameters before the plunger becomes jammed and the spring 19 is rendered incapable of completing the stroke.

proper delivery of This would lead to confusion at the discharge end of the column and might result in the improper positioning of a slug in the die. If this should occur serious damage is very apt to be'produced, necessitating a complete shutdown of the machine. On the other hand by the provision of ample space at the point X the column of slugs will not be disturbed until the new slug is well positioned between the guides 12 and 13. There is then no danger of jamming and the spring 10 will be capable of imparting the full stroke to the plunger. Should jamming occur before the new slug reaches the column the latter will not be advanced at all and there will simply bean idle operation of' the punch. In order to minimize jamming of the slugs against the corner of one of the guide plates 51, during the operation of the plunger 56, this corner iscut away along an angle of about 45, as indicated at 79 in Figs. 10 and 11. The inclined edge 19 will tend to cam the advancing slug into the feed channel, if it is not already properly in line with this channel.

Any suitable connections may be provided for rotating the shaft 68. As best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, this may simply comprise a chain 80 driven by a sprocket on the shaft 15 and in turn driving a sprocket on the shaft 68. The diameters of the sprockets should be the same so that upon each revolution of the shaft I5, there will be one revolution of the shaft 68 and hence one reciprocation of the plunger 56. The cam 61 is, of course, suitably timed to advance the slugs at an appropriate portion of the cycle.

A feature of the invention is the provision of suitable means for heating the slugs in their movement through the channel between plates 12 and 13. For this purpose the channel is encased by an electric oven 8| of suitable construction. The particular form of the oven may be varied considerably. A convenient form, which is illustrated in the drawings, may comprise a heat-retaining and conducting member 82, formed preferably of metal, having a heating element 83 secured to its under surface. This element may be connected in any suitable way, as

by the wires shown, to a source of electricity for the purpose of generating the necessary heat to maintain the oven at the desired temperature, and it may be so constructed and arranged as to permit a variable number of units or sections to be effective at any time. Within a pocket formed between the upper and lower surfaces of the element 82 there may be inserted a thermostatic control member 84, which may be connected in any well known way to suitable regulating means for determining the current input into the heating element 83. In this way only sufficient current will be supplied to the heating element to maintain the oven at the desired temperature. To offset heat losses any suitable type of heat insulating covering 85, formed of asbestos or the like, may be provided around the heating element and other portions of the oven.

In order to expedite the removal of slugs from the oven whenever necessary, as at the beginning of an operation, in which slugs remaining in the passage at the end of a previous operation will not have had suflicient time to be heated to the proper temperature, the middle section at the top of the oven is made removable. For this purpose the heat insulating material is preferably placed within a metal shell which fits snugly into -a space left in the main insulating casing directly above the plates 12 and 13. When it is desired to remove the slugs from the oven, or to adjust the guide plates, the central insulating section may simply be lifted out of place. The temperature of the oven is so regulated, by means of the thermostatic control, as to insure heating of the slugsto an appropriate temperature, say, for example, between 450 and 600 F., in transit through the oven during the operation of the machine at a normal speed. If desired, the. thermostatic control may be made directly responsive to the temperature of the slugs as they are discharged from the oven. For this purpose the thermostatic element might be brought into direct contact with the slugs, preferably at the top or bottom, just as they leave the oven. However, the arrangement illustrated may be such that the slugs are left in contact with the member 82 for a sufficient length of time to bring them to the temperature of the member, or very nearly so, before they are discharged. Therefore, even though smaller slugs would be left in contact with the member 82 for a longer period than larger slugs, they would not reach an appreciably higher temperature than the larger slugs. In any event the temperature control may be properly adapted to insure the correct temperature of the slugs regardless of size.

As the slugs are advanced through the oven, or are about to leave the same, they are supported by a plate 81, which is cut away, along the line indicated at 88 in Fig. 12, adjacent the end of the plate 12. It will be apparent that as the slugs are pushed forward, they are eventually dropped over the edge 88 to a plate 89.which is riveted, or otherwise secured, to one of a pair of gripper arms 90 and 9| (see Figs. 12, 13 and 14). Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, the gripper arms are pivotally supported at 92 on a sliding block 93. The latter is reciprocated upon each operation of the machine by suitable connections from the shaft 68. For this purpose the block has a bifurcated portion 94 connected, in a manner to be explained, with a lever 95 pivoted'at 98 upon the frame. An eccentric 91 secured to the shaft 68 operates a connecting rod 98, which is joined by means of a pin or bolt 99 with the lever 95. For the purposes of adjustment, the bolt 99 cooperates with an elongated slot I by means of which the are through which the lever is rocked may be varied.

The gripper arms are provided with sockets l0l cooperating with suitable extensions on a friction slide I02. The latter is clamped between a pair of blocks I03 which are yieldingly forced together by a spring I04 surrounding a bolt for varying the spring tension. Now, as the block 93 is shifted toward the left, in Fig. 2, or toward the front of the machine, (Fig. 3) the friction slide I02 will tend to lag behind and due to the advancing of the pivots 92, the gripper arms will be rocked together until noses I on these arms are brought against the sides of a stop I86 carried by slide 93. At this time the gripper fingers ID! at the end of the arms will have grasped the slug, which has by this time dropped from the plate 89 on to a support I08, while the slug remains in contact with the shoulder 16l on member 16. As the slide 93 continues its movement toward the left, the gripper arms will move with the slide and will carry the slug from the shoulder 16! to a point directly over the die recess 43. The guide 12, as best shown in Fig. 14, is cut away on its under side at 12l to a suflicient extent to permit the larger slugs to pass beneath this guide.

Upon the return movement of the slide 93 toward the right, (Fig. 2) the friction established by the slide I02 will retard the movement of the socket portions IOI of the gripper arms in relation to the pivot points 92. This will cause the arms to be spread apart at the beginning of the return stroke until a lug III) secured to slide 93 engages the slide I02 and causes the parts to move in unison. During this return stroke of slide 93 the plunger 59 will operate to force another slug over the edge 88 onto the plate 89 and against the shoulder 'IBI. As the gripper arms reach their starting position, the new slug will drop between the fingers and the operation is ready to be repeated.

In order to insure proper movement of the gripper arms from the position in which they receive the slug to the position directly over the recess I09, the stroke of the slide 93 is made adjustable both as to length and as to the position of the slide at the extreme ends of its movement. The length of the stroke is determined by the position of bolt 99 in slot I00. The position of the slide at the extreme ends of the stroke may be varied, for fine adjustment, by the connection provided between lever 95 and forked extension 94. This comprises a yoke II I pivotally connected to the upper end of the lever and a block II2 carried by a pin II3 secured between the forked extensions 94. A screw connection I I I between the yoke I I I and block I I2 permits rela tive adjustment between these parts. This adjustment will permit slight variation in the relative positions of the slide 93 andlever 95. Pin I I3, as shown in Fig. 2, extends through elongated slots I I5 in the arms of the yoke I I I.

Summarizing the operation of the machine, slugs are continuously fed from a hopper, not shown, into a chute 55 at the end of which they are carried into the path of the plunger 56.

The weight of the column of slugs in the chute will be sufficient to force the first slug into the path of the plunger as it is retracted into the position of Fig. 11. As the plunger is being retracted the gripper arms 9| will be operated, in the manner explained, to carry a slug from the guide shoulder IBI to a point above the die recess 43. At the same time the toggle I9, 20 will be gradually straightened out to lower the punch toward the slug. As the gripper arms deposit the slug and begin the return movement, the punch will begin its extrusion stroke and will cause a battery cup, or the like, to be formed around the punch. Upon completion of the down stroke of the head 24, the toggle will be slowly broken to lift the punch. At the same time the plunger 55 will start its inward movement to add a new slug to the line passing through the oven and to deposit the heated slug at the end of the line in position for the next operation. As the punch 26 rises, the upper edge of the extruded cup will engage the under edges of the blocks 35 so that the continued upward movement of the punch will cause the cup to be stripped from it. As the stripping operation is completed, a jet of gas, discharged through the nozzle .48, will blow the extruded cup into the chute 50 and cause it to be discharged onto the travelling conveyor 52. The same cycle may be continuously repeated so long as slugs are fed from the hopper into the chute 55.

While an illustrative machine embodying the various features of the invention has been disclosed in considerable detail, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without uuul on nuu departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention as embraced by the claims.

What I claim is:

1. An extrusion press for extruding substantially flat disc-like slugs into hollow articles comprising guides arranged to form a passage for said slugs, means for delivering the slugs to said passage, reciprocating means for advancing the slugs through said passage, an oven surrounding a portion of said passage, a die for receiving the slugs upon discharge from said passage, means for transferring a slug to said die upon each cycle of the press and depositing said slug in said die by gravity, and a punch cooperating with the slugs in the die to extrude hollow articles.

2. An extrusion press for the extrusion of hollow articles from substantially flat disc-like slugs comprising substantially horizontal guides cooperating with the edges of said slugs and arranged to form a passage therefor, a plunger aligned with said passage, means for reciprocating the plunger to intermittently advance the slugs through said passage, means for feeding slugs into the path of said plunger to be added to the series in saidpassage, a die, means for transferring the slugs on their faces from the end of said passage directly into said die, and a punch cooperating with the die.

3. An extrusion press comprising a frame, guides arranged to form a passage for slugs, means for adjustably retaining said guides on said frame to accommodate slugs of different diameters, a plunger, means connected with said plunger for reciprocating the plunger to intermittently advance the slugs through said passage, means for adjusting the connection between said plunger and second mentioned means, means for feeding slugs into the path of said plunger to be added to the series in said passage, a die, and means for transferring the slugs from the end of said passage to said die.

4. An extrusion press comprising a frame, guides arranged to form a passage for slugs, means for adjustably retaining said guides on said frame to accommodate slugs of different diameters, a plunger, means connected with said' plunger for reciprocating the plunger to intermittently advance the slugs through said passage, means for adjusting the connection between said plunger and second mentioned means, means for fee-ding slugs into the path of said plunger to be added to the series in said passage, a die,

' means for transferring the slugs from the end of said passage to said die, and means for varying the stroke of said last mentioned means.

5. In an extrusion press a chute for delivering slugs to a fixed point, a die, guide means forming a channel intermediate said fixed point and the die, reciprocating means for advancing the slugs from said fixed point to said die, operating means, connections from said operating means to said reciprocating means, said connections including means for varying the range of movement of said reciprocating means, and means for varying the width of said channel to accommodate slugs or different diameters.

6. In an extrusion press a chute for delivering slugs to a fixed point, a die, and means for transferring slugs from said fixed point to said die comprising guides forming a curved channel and reciprocating feed means adjacent each end of said channel, operating means, connections from said operating means to said reciprocating means, said connections including means for varying the range of movement of said reciprocating means, and means for varying the width of said channel to accommodate slugs of different diameters.

7. An extrusion press comprising a chute for delivering flat disc-like slugs to a fixed point, a die, an oven, means for transferring slugs from said fixed point to said die, said means including guides forming a channel through said oven and reciprocating feed means at opposite ends of the oven, the reciprocating feed means at the inlet of said oven serving to advance the slugs in the channel formed by said guides, a punch cooperating with the die, and power means for operating the punch and the feed means in synchronism throughout each cycle of operation.

8. An extrusion press comprising a die, a punch cooperating with the die, said punch being mounted for reciprocation only, means for feeding slugs successively to said die, means for reciprocating the punch, stripper members yieldingly forced against said punch and adapted to strip the extruded article therefrom as the punch is retracted, said members being held apart by said punch substantially throughout its recipro cation, and means for discharging the stripped article from the machine.

9. An extrusion press comprising a die, a holder therefor, a punch cooperating with the die, means for feeding slugs successively to said die, means for reciprocating the punch, blocks carried by said die holder yieldingly pressed against the sides of said punch, said blocks being held apart by said punch substantially throughout its reciprocation and engaging the upper edge of the article to strip the latter from the punch as it is retracted, and means for directing a jet of air against the stripped article to discharge it from the machine.

10. In apparatus of the class described a frame, guide means adjustably mounted on the frame and forming a passage of variable width for the movement of slugs, a plunger aligned with said passage for feeding slugs into the passage and forcing a series therethrough, gripper means for grasping the slugs upon discharge from the passage and conveying them to'a definite point, means for driving said plunger and gripper means in synchronism, and means for adjusting the movement of the plunger and the gripper means to adapt them for feeding slugs of different diameters.

11. In apparatus of the class described guide means forming a pair of passages arranged at a sharp angle to each other, means for delivering disc-like slugs to one of said passages, said slugs being discharged from said one passage edgewise to the other, reciprocating means in said other passage for forcing a series of slugs edgewise through the same, and 'means for reciprocating said last mentioned means in said other passage through a distance greater than twice the width of one of said slugs.

12. In apparatus of the class described guide means forming a pair of passages arranged at an angle to each other, means for delivering disclike slugs to one of said passages, said slugs being discharged from said one passage edgewise to the other, said other passage having at least a portion thereof in a substantially horizontal position, reciprocating means in said other passage for forcing a series of slugs edgewise through the same, and means for reciprocating said last mentioned means in said other passage through a distance at least twice as great as the width of one of said slugs.

13. In apparatus of the class described guide means forming a pair of passages arranged at an angle of substantially 90 to each other, means for delivering slugs to one of said passages, said slugs being discharged from said one passage edgewise to the other, and reciprocating means in said other passage for forcing the slugs edgewise through the same, the first mentioned passage being enlarged at its discharge end to provide a surface arranged at an acute angle to the axis of said reciprocating means.

14. In apparatus of the class described guide means forming a pair of passages arranged at an angle of substantially 90 to each other, means for delivering slugs to one of said passages, said slugs being discharged from said one passage edgewise to the other, and reciprocating means in said other passage for forcing the slugs edgewise through the same, said passages being slightly enlarged at their juncture to enable free transfer of the slugs from one to the other.

15. An extrusion press for extruding substantially fiat disc-like slugs into hollow articles comprising means forming a passageway for said slugs, means for heating said passageway, means for delivering fresh slugs to said passageway, means for forcing the slugs through said passageway, said forcing means and passageway being so constructed and arranged that the slugs are advanced through the passageway only when moved by said forcing means, a die for receiving slugs discharged from said passageway, means for transferring heated slugs to said die as they are discharged, and a reciprocating punch cooperating with said die to extru-de the heated slugs into hollow articles.

16. An extrusion press for extruding substan- 

